BNP voices frustration over SC order staying Khaleda’s bail

14 Mar 2018, 15:32

NTV Online

Bangladesh Nationalist party (BNP) on Wednesday voiced frustration and anger over the Supreme Court order staying the High Court’s bail to its chairperson Khaleda Zia in Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

The party also alleged that the Supreme Court full bench passed the stay order after a unilateral hearing from the ACC lawyer which tarnished the highest court’s dignity and tradition, reports the UNB.

‘The highest court can pass any order. But passing an order after a unilateral hearing is not logical at all. We think it has tarnished the image and tradition of the highest court,’ said BNP standing committee member Moudud Ahmad.

Speaking at a press conference at the party’s Nayapaltan central office, he further said, ‘We’re upset, angry and sad over today’s (Wednesday’s) order.’

BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir alleged the court’s different orders are now reflecting the government’s will.

The Supreme Court on Wednesday stayed until Sunday a High Court order granting a four-month interim bail to BNP Chairperson Khaleda Zia in the Zia Orphanage Trust graft case.

A four-member Appellate Division bench, headed by Chief Justice Syed Mahmud Hossain, passed the order after hearing two petitions filed against the High Court order.

The apex court also asked the petitioners to file regular leave-to-appeal petitions by Sunday.

Earlier on Tuesday, Appellate Division chamber judge Justice Hasan Foez Siddique sent the two petitions to the full bench of the division without passing any order.

Advocate Sufia Khatun filed a petition on behalf of the state while lawyer Khurshid Alam Khan lodged another one on behalf of the Anti-Corruption Commission.